GAME ONE BOX SCORE

GAME TWO BOX SCORE

Seguin, Texas – Justin Beasley delivered the eventual game-winning hit and Ryan Ullmann earned his sixth victory of the season in the first game as the Concordia University Texas baseball team split a twinbill against Texas Lutheran on Friday, Apr. 22 at Katt-Isbel Field. The Tornados won the opener, 2-1, to clinch hosting rights for next week's first round of the American Southwest Tournament before dropping the nightcap by a 3-2 decision in 10 innings.

Concordia's seed and opponent, either Mississippi College or Louisiana College, will be determined based on the outcome of tomorrow's final regular season game between Hardin-Simmons and McMurry. The Tornados will win the ASC West Division title outright for the first time in program history and earn the top seed with a McMurry victory. If the Cowboys win, Concordia will share the West Division championship and be the second seed since Hardin-Simmons owns the head-to-head tiebreaker.

After Texas Lutheran got on the scoreboard first in the opener thanks to an RBI double by Cody Miller in the bottom of the third, Concordia was able to rally in the fifth and take a one-run lead. The Tornados got consecutive one-out singles from C.J. Riojas and Kristopher Pearce and loaded the bases when Matt McManemin was beaned by a pitch.

Nick Jones then came in with the bases full of Tornados and was able to strike out the next batter, but a wild pitch allowed Riojas to score and tie the game. Beasley then singled on the next play, which plated Pearce and made it 2-1 before McManemin was gunned down at home to end the frame. Ullmann only allowed one hit over the final three innings to keep the Bulldogs off the board, allowing the Tornados to clinch a home playoff series and escape with the one-run victory.

Ullmann improved to 6-1 with the victory after hurling 4.1 scoreless frames for Concordia. He allowed three hits and recorded four strikeouts while not issuing a walk. Texas Lutheran's Kellen McGriff fell to 4-2 with the loss. He yielded three hits and two runs, which were both earned, over 4.1 innings of work.

A third pitcher's duel between the squads ensued in the nightcap between Concordia's Pedro Maldonado and Texas Lutheran's Chris Lewis. The Bulldogs scored a quick run in the bottom of the first on a Jason McGill single, but the Tornados scored twice in the top of the sixth with Collin Janssen and Colton Gommert each driving in a run on a single and fielder's choice play, respectively.

Texas Lutheran (23-17, ASC 13-8), however, was able to tie the game when a single by Cody Miller plated Daniel Harvey for an unearned run. The bullpens for each team then took control and combined to not allow a hit over the eighth and ninth innings, forcing the teams to decide the series finale in extras.

Concordia was able to place the go-ahead run in scoring position in the top of the 10th, as Brent Schaekel singled and stole second with only one out. However, Madden was able to get out of the jam by inducing a groundout and a flyout. In the bottom of the 10th, the Bulldogs placed runners at first and second with one out and got a walkoff single from Andy Griffith to end their regular season on a high note.

Austin Rupert was charged with the loss and fell to 1-1 by issuing two walks over 1.1 innings and placing the winning run on base. The sophomore entered the game after starter Pedro Maldonado allowed two runs, including one that was earned, while striking out five over eight solid innings of work. Madden picked up the victory and improved to 4-2 after surrendering just one hit over 3.1 scoreless frames.

Concordia (25-14, ASC 15-6) will host a best-of-three playoff series beginning on Friday, Apr. 29 at 6 p.m.
-agate-
Concordia                                                000     020     0     2     4     1
Texas Lutheran                                       001     000     0     1     5     1
     Concordia: Scott Hays, Ryan Ullmann (3) and Collin Janssen.
     Texas Lutheran: Kellen McGriff, Nick Jones (5) and Ryan Hill.

Concordia (25-14, ASC 15-6)               000     002     000     0     2     8     1
Texas Lutheran (23-17, ASC 13-8)     100     000     100     1     3    11    0
     Concordia: Pedro Maldonado, Austin Rupert (9), Bryant Hernandez (10) and Collin Janssen.
     Texas Lutheran: Chris Lewis, Sean Madden (7) and Evan Curtis.